Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced millions in transportation funding for Whatcom County that the U.S. House of Representatives passed today. The money is included in H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEALU).  The six-year, $284 billion surface transportation package replaces the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). TEALU doubles ferry funding as proposed by Larsen and includes money he pushed for in order to address congestion relief, increase safety on rural roads, and millions to help Whatcom County with freight mobility and border needs. A list of Whatcom County projects is included at the bottom of this release.

“This bill lays out the framework for the next six years of federal transportation funding,” Larsen noted. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will keep pushing to make sure that the final version of this critical bill includes Whatcom County transportation priorities.” 

The House bill incorporates Larsen’s proposal to boost ferry funding. The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries. The bill as passed today authorizes $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems.

In addition to ferry funding, the bill includes other provisions that if passed would benefit Washington state.

“Our Northern Border with Canada creates unique and pressing transportation issues in Whatcom County,” Larsen said. “This bill will help Whatcom County improve the safety of its transportation system, increase business productivity, and improve traffic flow at the border.”

Larsen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. TEA-21 was set to expire on September 30, 2003 but Congress extended it and failed to reauthorize the bill last year. The new bill, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009. It provides $284 billion in guaranteed funding. The Highway Trust Fund provides funding for the bill. It does not come from the general treasury and pays for itself with funds from the federal gas tax.

Projects of Statewide Significance
· $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems, Washington State: The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries.

· $500,000 for the West Coast Corridor Coalition, Washington State: Funds will allow the West Coast Corridor project to identify and advocate policies, strategies, projects, and funding to improve the movement of freight and goods through, from, and within the West Coast transportation system, and to mitigate the congestion and community impacts that arise from freight movement.

Whatcom County Projects

· $1.3 million for Cascade Gateway Coordination of Binational Planning: The International Mobility and Trade Corridor Project, Whatcom  County, WA: Will fund efforts for Whatcom County to identify and promote improvements to the transportation and inspection systems between Washington  state and British Columbia.

· $9.5 million for the Port of Bellingham Redevelopment Project in Bellingham, WA: Help fund street and pedestrian improvements that are part of the Bellingham waterfront redevelopment. The money will expand and enhance Laurel Street down into the current Georgia Pacific site that the port is redeveloping. The money will also go toward a pedestrian walkway extension.

· $2.5 million for Border Crossing Improvements at Pacific Highway (SR 543/I-5), Blaine, WA: Will help construct an alternative route from I-5 to the border to relieve congestion along the Pacific Highway Truck Crossing (SR 543) and I-5 in Blaine and allow for better transborder freight mobility. As the fourth busiest border crossing on the Northern Border, assisting over 3,000 trucks each day and $15 billion in goods annually, this crossing has witnessed trucks backed up several miles on I-5 resulting in major congestion and safety concerns.
 
The Senate is working on its own version of the bill. Once Senate action is completed, House and Senate leaders will negotiate the differences in their bills and create and pass a conference agreement that will go to the president.